SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Zach Schotz is taking his best shot off the basketball court with Project Canvas Court. He's scouting for a Syracuse artist to team up with him to transform a city basketball court. Schotz will chose an artist to create and paint a design onto the center court of the Clinton Playlot, an outdoor basketball court at Lodi Street and Hawley Avenue, in Syracuse's Hawley-Green neighborhood. Schotz is moving fast. Saturday is the deadline for applications. (See details below).

A recent Syracuse University graduate, Schotz founded the nonprofit Project Canvas Court to bring art and basketball together. The project plays to Schotz's skills and interests. He studied sports management and entrepreneurship at SU. Growing up in Calabasas, Calif., he played basketball in high school. While Schotz says he loved art, an introduction to culture class at SU deepened his appreciation. "That class made me fall in love even more," he says.

The Clinton Playlot will be his first project. Schotz will review the applications and meet with the artists before narrowing the list to a few candidates. He will share his finalists list with neighborhood residents to get their input. Schotz will forward his choices to city Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs Commissioner Baye Muhammad for final approval. The winning artist will not be paid for his or her design or participation.

"We definitely appreciate him reaching out to us and his desire to make things better for the community," said Muhammad. Project details, such as timing and the Public Art Commission approval, are still being discussed, he said. The city will not be providing funding, supplies or manpower for the project.